BERNE —  Ann (née McCusker) Flaws, who loved being a teacher, died at home on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, with her husband and son by her side, after a six-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. She was 72.

She was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Josephine Hollister McCusker and Edward Charles McCusker. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Pittsfield, and from The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

She taught in the South Colonie School District for nearly 30 years. She always said it was the best career she could have chosen.

Mrs. Flaws was a parishioner of The Church of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette in Altamont, where at one time she taught religious education and was a Eucharistic Minister.

In her retirement years, she enjoyed travel; reading; housekeeping; antiquing; socializing with friends; movies; plays; visiting museums; and spending winter months in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Mostly she enjoyed spending time with family, especially her two precious granddaughters.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Donald Flaws; her son, Thomas Edward Flaws; her daughter-in-law Katherine Melcher Flaws; and her granddaughters, Maura Ann Flaws and Sophie Caroline Flaws.

She is also survived by her sister, Mary McCusker Smith, and her brother-in-law, Shaun Smith, as well as two nieces, Keyburn Grady and Heather Williamson.

Her brother, Edward Charles McCusker Jr., died before her.

The family thanks Community Hospice for compassionate care, especially her nurse, Craig Suprenant, and also Jen, Barbara, Eve, Kim, and the countless friends and family who offered support in such loving and caring ways.

Calling hours will be held at the Church of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette on Grand Street in Altamont on Sunday, Sept. 30. The funeral Mass will be held at the church on Monday, Oct. 1.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation, which performs invaluable pancreatic cancer research, at 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797.